Preparation of a Nano-Laminated Sc₂SnC MAX Phase Coating on SiC Fibers via the Molten Salt Method

The incorporation of MAX phase interface layers into silicon carbide (SiC) composites has been shown to significantly enhance mechanical properties, particularly under irradiation conditions. However, conventional Ti-based MAX phases suffer from thermal instability and tend to decompose at high temperatures. In this work, an Sc₂SnC coating was successfully synthesized onto the surface of SiC fibers (SiC_f) via an in situ reaction between metals and pyrolytic carbon (PyC) in a molten salt environment. The PyC layer, pre-deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), served as both a carbon source and a structural template. Characterization by SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Sc₂SnC coatings with a distinctive hexagonal flake-like morphology, accompanied by an internal ScC_x intermediate layer. By turning the Sc-to-Sn ratio in the molten salt, coatings with varied morphologies were achieved. ScC_x was identified as a critical intermediate phase in the synthesis process. The formation of numerous defects during the reaction enhanced element diffusion, resulting in preferential growth orientations and diverse grain structures in the Sc₂SnC coating.